Wakefield, MA–The Wakefield Memorial High School Alumni Foundation recently celebrated the accomplishments of their fellow alumni as nine were inducted into the 4th Annual WMHS Hall of Fame Ceremony on Friday evening, March 11th at the Sheraton Colonial Hotel.

Coach Bill Tighe and Banks at the induction ceremony

The WMHS Alumni Foundation Hall of Fame was established in 2008 to recognize alumni for exceptional achievement in their profession or contributions to the Wakefield community. The nine were chosen from nominations sent in by alumni and community members, which were reviewed by the WMHS Alumni Association’s Hall of Fame committee.
Inductees were honored at the ceremony and permanent plaques commemorating each Hall of Fame member will be displayed in the designated Alumni Hall of Fame Corridor at WHS. The recipients at this year’s ceremony are:

Author Russell Banks (1958) for his achievement in the Artsfield

Dennis Drinkwater (1961) for his accomplishment and leadership in the Business world

Tom Grilk (1965) for his Community Servicewithin Wakefield and other communities

Jonathan Berecz (1993) for his dedication and contribution to Wakefield EducationSenator Scott Brown (1977) for his contribution to Massachusetts’s Government

Richard Houlder (1947) for his Military Servicein the armed forces

Dr. Kevin McGrail (1975) for his commitment to the Scientific and Medical Fields

Patricia Mooney (1948) for her Special Achievements, contributions and service for the Wakefield School System

Nicole Camier (2002) for her recognition as a Rising Star in the legal profession, being out of high school for less than 10 years.

Russell Banks played for legendary Hall of Fame coach Bill Tighe during Tighe’s first season at the helm of the Warriors. Banks was a two-way player for the 1957 Middlesex League Champions and was nick named “The Teacher” by his former coach.

Jonathan Berecz was a two way lineman for the Warriors in 1992. Berecz played for Coach Ray Boghos in the early 90’s as he helped to lay the foundation for the program’s dominance in the mid to late 90’s.

Berecz currently serves as the Television Production teacher at Wakefield High School and has produced many films over the years that have received high praise.